Lifescripts, 3rd Edition

27Warning Your Supervisor of a Potential Vendor or Supplier Problem

STRATEGY

If you learn that a vendor your company relies on may be about to run into trouble either with their own operation or in servicing your company, you need to alert your superiors. However, you'll first need to take certain things into consideration. What's the likelihood that vendor service will be interrupted and how long will it take for that to happen? What are the alternative sources for the goods or services, and what are their relative strengths and weaknesses? Does the problem have to do with the workings of your own company or its relationship with the vendor? The reason for all this preliminary thought is that you want to provide some advice on a potential course of action. However, remember that the problems you foresee may not arise. If your company goes through a costly or time‐consuming shift that wasn't necessary, you'll be blamed just as if you hadn't noticed the problem at all.

TACTICS

• Attitude: You've noticed something that may be harmful, but because you've noticed it early the company has the opportunity to proceed with caution. That means not rushing to judgment or to act, although the more people you make aware of the problem the better.
• Preparation: Thoroughly analyze the problem and the potential solutions, coming up with a list of alternative responses, both now and in the future. Choose one response since you may be asked for a specific recommendation.

• Timing: Time may ...